The Latest Restaurant Buzz

A lot of changes are happening in Nashville, especially in the restaurant biz. From new places to recent closings, it’s hard to keep track of everything. Here are the top things you need to know about Nashville’s restaurant scene right now.

UPDATED: September 7, 2018

Downtown Sporting Club Planned for Paradise Park’s Previous Space

Strategic Hospitality has revealed their major plans for the 42,000-square-foot space at 411 Broadway, previously home to Paradise Park, Aerial, and Big Bang. The new concept will be called Downtown Sporting Club, which will feature a variety of social concepts spanning across each floor.

Floor one will have a Crema coffee roasters, a retail area, a large information desk, and an around-the-clock restaurant.

Floor two, called The Rec Room, will have a large oval-shaped bar, old school games, a variety of seating options, and a 13-foot screening room ideal for watching games. Axe-throwing lanes will fill the back section.

Affordable sleeping quarters will cover the third floor for overnight guests. There will be king, queen, and bunk bed rooms available for reservation. Strategic Hospitality will also offer curated stays.

Char Restaurant Opening September 17

Char, a contemporary steakhouse offering steaks, seafood, and signature cocktails, is slated to open on Monday, September 17, 2018, in Green Hills. The contemporary restaurant is owned and operated by 4 Top Hospitality (Etch, etc., Amerigo, Saltine). Char will serve lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Guests can also expect live music daily in the piano bar.

The Green Pheasant Slated to Open in October

Seed Hospitality Group (Two Ten Jack), is opening their newest concept, The Green Pheasant, in early October. The Green Pheasant is a Japanese restaurant that combines locally-sourced meats and produce with fish and other specialty ingredients sourced directly from Japan. The new restaurant is located downtown across from Ascend Amphitheater at 222 2nd Avenue South.

East Nashville’s New Pinball Joint

Photo Credit: No Quarter

No Quarter, a new pinball and beer joint, is hosting their grand opening on Thursday, September 6, 2018, from 4:00pm to midnight. No Quarter took over the space previously occupied by Gizmo’s Vapor Shoppe at 922B Main Street in East Nashville. Stop by for games and brews!

This Eclectic Cocktail Bar is Worth a Visit

Photo Credit: Minerva Avenue

Minerva Avenue, an eclectic cocktail bar located in the Buchanan Arts District, is opening Friday, September 7, 2018, at 5:00pm. The concept, created by Robert Higgins, Jr. and Make-A-Play Hospitality Group, highlights culture, art, movies, and music from the 80s, 90s, and the present. Prominent Nashville mixologist Freddy Schwenk is assisting with the cocktail menu, so expect tasty drinks!

NoBaked Cookie Dough Tasting Event

Photo Credit: NoBaked Cookie Dough

NoBaked Cookie Dough, an edible cookie dough company, is opening its second Nashville storefront in Germantown. The first location opened off West End back in October 2017. NoBaked Germantown is hosting their grand opening celebration on Sunday, September 16, 2018, at 1120 4th Avenue North. NoBaked also has an outpost in Louisville.

Bourbon Steak Opens September 10

Photo Credit: Bourbon Steak

Bourbon Steak, a restaurant concept by celebrity chef Michael Mina and the Mina Group, opens to the public on Monday, September 10, 2018. The steakhouse is located on the 34th floor of the new JW Marriott Nashville. Expect organic and hormone-free proteins, unique wines, and hand-crafted cocktails.

in case you missed it

Jackson’s Closes After 19 Years in Business

A long-time staple is now closed in Hillsboro Village. Jackson’s, one of the neighborhood’s pioneer restaurants, has closed its doors for good as of August 28, 2018. The farewell letter on the door reads: “Thank you, Hillsboro Village and Nashville, for nearly 19 years of friendly patronage. We had a rough start and a rocky ending, but a ton of fun and success in between – much like life itself perhaps. Farewell though maybe not forever.” Jackson’s has not posted further information online as of this writing.

Rambler, a New Underground Concept Below The Sutler

The Sutler Cellar, soon to be Rambler

The Sutler’s cellar is getting a makeover and a new name: Rambler. It’s the latest concept from A.Ray Hospitality (M.L.Rose, The Sutler, Melrose Billiards, Von Elrod’s), which will be a “bar within a bar” and a destination for cocktails. A completion date for the revamp hasn’t been announced yet.

TailGate Brewery’s Third Outpost is Open in East Nashville

TailGate Brewery’s new taproom is open at 811 Gallatin Avenue in East Nashville. The final touches have been added, so swing by for beer, pizza, sandwiches, and cider. Hours are 11:00am to 10:00pm Sunday through Thursday and 11:00am to 11:00pm Friday and Saturday.

The Ranch, Jackalope’s Second Taproom, Now Pouring

Jackalope’s second brewing facility and taproom, The Ranch at Jackalope Brewing Co., hosted their grand opening on Saturday, August 25, 2018, from noon to 10:00pm. The new location is in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood at 429 Houston Street.

Shake Shack Now Open

Shake Shack, the highly-acclaimed burger joint with over 180 locations, officially opened its first Tennessee outpost in Nashville on Thursday, August 23, 2018, at 11:00am. Shake Shack is located in the Hill Center of Green Hills. Get there before you’re too hungry—there’s usually a line out the door.

Get Your Next Bagel in Hillsboro Village

Hillsboro Village’s new bagel shop, Bare Naked Bagel, opened on Wednesday, August 22, 2018. This is the first stationary location for the food truck concept that specializes in hand-made bagels. See photos and learn more here.

East Nashville’s New Donut Shop

Photo Credit: East Park Donut & Coffee

Old-fashioned cake donuts and handcrafted espresso are being served in East Nashville. East Park Donuts & Coffee is having their soft opening week from Wednesday to Sunday, August 22-26, 2018. Temporary hours will be 6:30am to 1:00pm.

Taco Cantina at Germantown Depot is Open Regular Hours

Photo Credit: Germantown Depot

Taco Cantina at Germantown Depot officially opened for regular hours on Monday, August 20, 2018. Germantown Depot has three separate establishments: Taco Cantina, Trolley, and Saloon. Taco Cantina is now open every day and offers weekend brunch.

Kawai Poké Co. is Finally Ready for You

Photo Credit: Kawai Poké Co.

The anticipation is over. After announcing a July 27 opening date, Kawai Poké Co., a cultural concept created by Yev Mikhailov (Gurman Food Co.), had to push the opening to Friday, August 17, 2018. It’s Nashville’s first Hawaiian poké eatery featuring tropical breakfast bowls, handcrafted poké dishes (bite-sized cubes of marinated seafood on a bed rice or mixed greens, topped with fresh vegetables), and other Hawaiian favorites. Demand has been high, so check Instagram for current hours during opening week. See the menu.

The Goat Now Open in Germantown

Photo Credit: The Goat

The Goat’s grand opening weekend was Thursday through Saturday, August 16-18, 2018. The restaurant and bar concept, which has nine other locations, focuses on a chef-inspired menu, a wide selection of bourbons, and live music. The Goat Germantown is located at 1220 2nd Avenue North.

12 South’s New Coffee Shop Now Open

White Bison Coffee is the newest addition to 12 South. The neighborhood is now home to four coffeehouse options: Frothy Monkey, Portland Brew (located next door), Box (located on 10th), and White Bison, which officially opened on Tuesday, August 7, 2018. The coffee shop, which also offers a variety of pastries and on-the-go food options, is owned and operated by Twice Daily, a Middle Tennessee-based convenience store brand. White Bison currently has eight locations, including one in The Nations.

Neighbors Germantown Now Open

Luke Bryan’s New Broadway Bar is Now Open

Luke’s 32 Bridge, a bar and restaurant concept created by Luke Bryan and TC Restaurant Group, started their soft opening on July 27, 2018. It’s the latest celebrity bar to open on Broadway. Current hours are 4:00pm to 3:00am. Starting Thursday, August 2, 2018, Luke’s will open at 11:00am Monday through Friday and 10:00am on Saturdays and Sundays.

Juice Nashville Going Mobile, Closing Gulch Location

Juice Nashville’s Gulch storefront is closing by the end of July to focus on their new mobile delivery. The cold-pressed juicery will operate as a same-day delivery service. Visit their website for information on getting your fresh juices!

Paradise Park Officially Closed for Good

The hotspot’s last night of business was Saturday, July 28, 2018. Strategic Hospitality, the company behind Paradise Park, plans to remodel the entire building and open one cohesive concept across all three floors and the rooftop. Big Bang, which also occupied the same building, is seeking a new location Downtown and currently operating on the weekends at Dick’s Last Resort.

Ellington’s Mid Way Bar & Grill Now Open

Ellington’s Mid Way Bar & Grill located on the fourth floor of the new Fairlane Hotel opened to the public on Friday, July 27, 2018. The restaurant serves American fare and cocktails and is open daily for lunch and dinner as well as weekend brunch.

Legendairy Milkshake Bar Now Open Downtown

Photo Credit: Legendairy Milkshake Bar

Legendairy Milkshake Bar is now open in downtown Nashville. They welcomed their first customers on Saturday, July 21, 2018. The dessert bar focuses on elaborate milkshakes and ice cream scoops. Standard 16-ounce shakes are $12.99 and eight-ounce kids’ shakes are $9.99. Check out the menu here for all the options.